# Block heaters! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 8, 2007, 2:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heaters/5633 "2007-10-08T02:39:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lherman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@lherman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lherman)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 2:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heaters/5633/1 "2007-10-08T02:39:08Z")
I have a 2002 olds Alero with a v-6 engine. Carquest says the block heater goes in the center soft plug hole in the rear on the engine… HOW THE HECK do ya get to that??? Can I knock the soft plug in and leave it inside the engine??? Also have a 2000 chev 3/4 silverado with a 6.0 liter… Block heater goes in plug with 17 mm hex for removal. Little worried about pulling the threads of the plug. Anyone ever had that happen??? THanks lherman ---
**Author:** ![profhandy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5ac83/32.png) [@profhandy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/profhandy)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 5:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heaters/5633/2 "2007-10-08T17:09:06Z")
Try this website for block heaters. [www.zerostart.com/](http://www.zerostart.com/) So use the center soft plug hole in the front of the engine. That’s what I did on my '92 Olds Cutlass Ciera w/ 3.3L V-6. The plug needs to be removed. Don’t leave it in the engine. I use a wide blade slot head screwdriver (a big one), punch a hole with the screwdriver right through the plug, then wiggle the plug out. Sometimes, pliers will help get the plug out, especially if the plug gets cock-eyed. Try needle-nose pliers, also. But get the plug out. When installing the proper heater, tighten the locking bolt only 20-25 INCH-POUNDS. Your instructions with the block heater will tell you that the clamping mechanism is designed to hold the heater in place—not to seal the heater or prevent leakage. The O-ring, at that low torque, will keep it from leaking. Just make sure to run your wires away from heat sources such as exhaust manifolds/pipes, the radiator, and keep the wires away from fan blades. --Prof. Handy. ---
**Author:** ![profhandy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5ac83/32.png) [@profhandy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/profhandy)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heaters/5633/3 "2007-10-08T17:15:37Z")
I have re-read your original post. Are you saying that your 200 Siverado has 17mm threaded freeze plugs? Or are they just regular pressed in plugs? If they’re regular pressed-in plugs, then you shouldn’t need a wrench for removal. ---
**Author:** ![profhandy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5ac83/32.png) [@profhandy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/profhandy)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heaters/5633/4 "2007-10-08T17:33:01Z")
A better site, not as confusing as the zero start one, is [www.partsamerica.com/](http://www.partsamerica.com/) In the search box, type in Engine Heaters. That’ll give you a good idea of what’s out there. These block heaters are made by “KAT’S”. ---
**Author:** ![lherman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@lherman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lherman)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 1:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heaters/5633/5 "2007-10-09T01:24:32Z")
I was hoping that it would be a regular soft plug. However, the back left plug is threaded and very TIGHT. THinkin I may need to take it somewhere else… that way if they pull the threads then they can deal with it. The block heater that car-quest gave me has a threaded end and not much of the element sticking out. I first tried removing it with the engine cold… nada… thinkin it might help I drove for a bit to warm up the engine… still was very tight.??? Any other advice???